Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Gordan Grlić Radman on Thursday in New York attended a ministerial meeting of the Women, Peace, and Security Focal Points Network. The participants highlighted key steps to improve the status of women in the global security context, including promoting women’s leadership, strengthening their roles in processes and ensuring equal rights.
“Croatia continuously contributes to international efforts in preventing sexual violence in conflicts, punishing the perpetrators and aiding the victims. We share our experiences in eliminating the consequences of this type of crime committed during the aggression against Croatia. Our Law on the Rights of Victims of Sexual Violence from the Homeland War is considered a model for such situations,” Grlić Radman underscored. He added that Croatia can testify from its own experience that women bear a huge burden during conflicts, and play a key role in ending wars, building peace and post-conflict management.
Addressing the meeting on “Upholding the Principles of the UN Charter: Restoration of Justice in Ukraine”, the minister underlined we are witnesses to grave violations of the international humanitarian law and human rights. “The pain and suffering that the Ukrainian people are experiencing is, unfortunately, all too well known to Croatia, which was also a victim of brutal aggression during the 1990s. We are, therefore, strongly advocating the respect for the international law and its principles, and are well aware of the importance of determining accountability, so that those responsible for the gravest of crimes are brought to justice,” he said.
Grlić Radman also participated in a ministerial meeting of the SEECP, where the importance of preserving peace and stability in the Western Balkans was highlighted, as well as Croatia’s commitment to achieving these goals. He also delivered a presentation at the preparatory ministerial meeting for the Future Summit, where opinions were exchanged on how to revive the multilateral system for solving new global risks and challenges, and concrete, ambitious proposals for its strengthening were presented.
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